Colombia reshuffles cabinet with eye on peace deal

BOGOTA – Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos hasreshuffled his cabinet in what he said was preparation for a loomingpeace deal to end a half-century conflict with armed rebels.

"This will be the cabinet of peace... of the post-conflict phase," he saidin a speech on Monday.

"For that reason it will be composed of people from all regions and allpolitical leanings."After more than three years of peace talks, the government and theRevolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) say they are close to signing adeal but have yet to agree on disarmament and ratification of the final accord.

The prospect of a transition to peace raises difficult questions aboutjustice and accountability for killings and disappearances during the decadesof conflict.

The key post of justice minister in the new cabinet went to a relativelyneutral political figure: Jorge Eduardo Londono of the minority centrist GreenParty.

The reshuffle also brought in new ministers of labour, industry and housing,among other posts.

The half-century territorial conflict in Colombia has claimed the lives ofmore than 260,000 people. It has drawn in left – and right-wing guerrillas andparamilitary groups, as well as government forces.